La Tour Koenig now has it’s very first MUGA, a community-based fun and fitness movement created by the Mauritius Telecom (MT) Foundation, to promote healthy living through physical activity and education for all segments of the population. The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, inaugurated, yesterday afternoon, the 6th MUGA in the presence of the Chief Executive Officer of the MT and Chairman of MT Foundation, Mr Kapil Reesaul, and the Lord Mayor of Municipal City Council of Port Louis, Mr Mahfooz Moussa Cader Saib.
Several Ministers, Members of the National Assembly, and Parliamentary Private Secretaries were also present at the event. Since 2018, MUGAs have been set up in Phoenix, La Source-Quatre Bornes, Tyack, Goodlands and Triolet, in line with the Government’s vision to improve the quality of life of citizens through modern infrastructure aligning sports and technology.
Addressing the inhabitants, the Prime Minister reiterated that the promotion of a sports culture among the population remains the priority of the Government. He recalled the National Sports Policy set up in 2018 to foster sports for all and his participation at recently organised activities such as World Walking Day 2022 and the 12-Hour National Relay Walk, Jog and Run to motivate people of all age groups to engage in sports activities.
Mr Jugnauth urged citizens to avail themselves of facilities available at the MUGA and underlined governmental initiatives to promote a culture of sports and physical activity in the country. He also spoke of the facilities available at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex to elite athletes and the training provided by the Liverpool Football Academy in Mauritius to young boys and girls.
Other projects implemented by Government to enhancing the lives of the population include the Metro Express providing a modern transport system that is less time consuming and more efficient, stated the Prime Minister. To this end, he indicated that the Rose Hill to Reduit line will be operational by the end of this year. Procedures are also being undertaken for the extension of the Metro Express from Reduit to Moka, Saint Pierre and Hermitage, he added.
In a bid to encourage the population to maintain a healthy diet, the Prime Minister highlighted the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the country. Statistics, he observed, show that three out of four adults aged between 25 to 74 years do not practice sufficient physical exercises. Highlighting the importance of physical activities, Mr Jugnauth pointed out that the World Health Organization recommends all youngsters aged between 5 to 17 years old to practice a physical activity for a duration of 60 minutes per day and adults aged between 18 to 64 years old, to exercise either 75 minutes intensively or 150 minutes moderately per week. He also reasserted his relentless fight against the drug scourge.
The CEO of MT, in his address, underlined that the MT Foundation has contributed since 2009, some Rs 300 million for social projects. He announced that seven new MUGAs will be set up across the country, namely at Malherbes, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, La Flora, Poudre d’Or Hamlet, Sainte Croix, and Flacq.
Also speaking at the event, Lord Mayor Cader Saib reaffirmed the commitment of the City Council through various projects to promoting the welfare of the citizens.
MUGA
The MUGA comprises a secured compound with an outdoor gym having eight sport equipment including one dedicated to individuals with disabilities; a futsal area of 27m x 17m; a dedicated place for zumba, yoga and high-intensity interval training; a petanque area; a jogging/walking track; a kid football pitch; and a senior citizen’s corner. Free Wi-Fi connection is also offered to MUGA visitors.
It is open from 06 00 hr to 22 00 hr from Monday to Sunday and close on public holidays.
